Haldimand "A Great Place to Live, Work and Play"

The following comment appeared on my blog and I would like to address this if I may.

A question to Donna: Is there anything that is ever a happy event?IMO, you seem to always be looking for what you perceive as wrong?

As I have stated in many of my blogs, the comments that people post are just as important as the articles that I write about. Anyone who wants to have his or her say can do so here! The above comment is a strong one and is a personal opinion of the poster, and I respect that. Regardless this poster does bring up a very good point, and I would like to address the questions.

I started my blog and named it Haldimand’s Unheard Voice for just that reason, I felt and still feel sometimes that I am an Unheard Voice. My blog has always been driven by local politics, and I believe I have done a pretty good job of separating the "Personal from the Business". I have given ample opportunity for you to post your concerns and comments, and I am thankful that we live in a country where we can do just that!

I do pick and choose the issues that concern me and decide what issues I want and have the time to get involved in. Anyone can start and run a blog but you can not do this anonymously. Most people do not choose to be public with their opinions and concerns, and my blog is one avenue for people to have their say!

As a resident of Haldimand County I am proud of many things, but my blog is a political blog, and in saying that, it is just that political. Now in saying this it is no excuse for me to not write something that seems to be on the positive side about Haldimand County. But I will tell you that what I am proud of and thankful for is the good people in this community!

As far as the political end of things here in Haldimand County, in my personal opinion we have not been blessed with many good local honest politicians in the last 10 years. That is not to say that there have not and is not a good politician in Haldimand County. I will just talk about one of those good politicians. Bob Baigeant, former ward 2 Councillor. When my husband and I moved here from Hamilton in 2000 it was just in time for the Municipal election. We had the opportunity to meet Bob when he came knocking on our door. I was very involved in local politics in Hamilton, and I knew from my personal experience that Bob was a good man, and an asset to Haldimand County. We both voted for Bob in that election, and he was a good honest decent politician!

On the most part the issues that I get involved in are not necessarily what I perceive to be wrong, it is the "process" in which our local officials go about their business especially with critical decisions, such as a Nuclear Plant in Nanticoke. Transparency and Accountability don’t seem to be a top priority!

So Let’s talk about local events, well there are so many I couldn't’t even begin to list them all, but I will tell you about a recent event. Station 10 Firefighters and M&M meats hosted a fundraiser last Saturday for a local family that lost their home and barn in a fire. The community has had many events of this kind in support of local residents who have been through hard times. Thanks to the volunteer firefighters and local businesses and residents that have always rallied in support of their neighbours!

Here are just a few of many positives in Haldimand County;

The thousands of volunteers; e.g., coaches, mentors, non profit organizations, firefighters that put their life on the line every time a call comes in, local businesses that give back to the community, residents that are always there in support of their neighbours, one of the 10 best rated hospitals in Ontario, our location, we are surrounded by the Grand River and Lake Erie, we are blessed with many farmers, residents that get involved in local issues, and I could go on and on.

I for one am very proud to be a resident of Haldimand County, and would not choose to live anywhere else!

My passion and others that are passionate about local issues should be proud of their community involvement, where we would be without You?

I choose not to sit on my butt and just bitch to my neighbours about critical issues in Haldimand County. I have made the choice to get involved as many residents do. If that is perceived as a "wrong" then so be it, that is the opinion of some.

"Kudo’s to the Many Residents that get Involved, Your Voices and Passion are what makes Haldimand County a Great Place to live!".

Haldimand "Nuclear Plant not a Done Deal"

I received a few calls yesterday from reporters that have read my blog. One reporter Monte Sonnenberg from the Simcoe Reformer called me yesterday and we did an interview on the phone.

Mayor Trainer says it best in this interview; "If Bruce Power wants it, and the people want it, it will be hard to turn down"!

I cannot stress enough for everyone to get involved!

Whether you are for or against "Your Voice needs to be Heard".

Here is the interview;

Nuclear plant not done deal
Posted By Monte Sonnenberg, SIMCOE REFORMER
Posted 40 mins ago

Bruce Power says it still needs more information before it commits to building nuclear reactors
Bruce Power denies it is on a collision course with the province over the question of nuclear reactors in the Nanticoke Industrial Park.

Last week, Bruce Power announced it would spend $30 million over the next three years exploring the suitability of Nanticoke for an installation. The environmental assessment could pave the way for the construction of two reactors by 2018.

The same day, Ontario Energy Minister George Smitherman said the Nanticoke location does not enjoy the support or encouragement of the McGuinty government.

Bruce Power spokesperson James Scongack says the decision to conduct an environmental assessment is part of deciding whether Bruce Power wants to pursue the project. Bruce Power won't know whether Nanticoke is a good fit until it consults local stakeholders and puts the proposed location west of U.S. Steel under the microscope.

"Until we have an indication on both these items, we're not really prepared to talk about the big picture," Scongack said.

Scongack added that Bruce Power, as a private company, does not require the province's approval to do market research.

Duncan Hawthorne, CEO and president of Bruce Power, expressed similar sentiments in a statement Friday when the utility announced its intentions. The environmental assessment, he said, "will give us -- and Ontario -- a number of options to consider going forward."

"Although this is a major step forward, we will not make a decision to proceed with a project until we have consulted thoroughly with the people of Haldimand (and) Norfolk and have significantly progressed the environmental assessment," Hawthorne said.

In his remarks, Smitherman said Bruce Power is operating on its own. However, the energy minister did not explicitly reject the possibility of situating nuclear reactors in Nanticoke. A statement from Smitherman's office said the ministry has "not encouraged or solicited a proposal to build a nuclear generating station in the Haldimand (and) Norfolk region."

Smitherman also said, "Adding more nuclear beyond the existing supply of 50 per cent (14,000 megawatts) is not in Ontario's plans or in Ontario's interests."

Queen's Park is not encouraging Bruce Power, but Haldimand Mayor Marie Trainer believes it can be persuaded to have another look at Nanticoke.

Due to concerns over air quality, the McGuinty government plans to close the giant Nanticoke Generating Station by 2014. The plant is the largest coal-burning generating facility in North America.

Trainer says the province acknowledges that Nanticoke, by virtue of its location, plays a key role in balancing the load on the provincial grid. And the 500 kilovolt transmission corridor running north from the plant "is second to none," she added.

"If Bruce Power wants it and the people want it, it will be very hard to turn down," Trainer said.

Whether the people want it remains to be seen. Norfolk and Haldimand councils endorsed the concept of nuclear reactors in Nanticoke last year. However, in light of last week's announcement, opposition is beginning to gel at the grassroots level.

Donna Pitcher, of South Cayuga, led the charge in 2004 against Haldimand council's plan to sell Haldimand County Hydro. A candidate in Ward 2 in the 2003 and 2006 municipal elections, Pitcher collected a 3,500-signature petition against the utility sale. Council ultimately rejected the idea.

Pitcher is preparing a second petition demanding that the nuclear question appear as a ballot question in Hamilton and Haldimand, Norfolk and Brant counties in the 2010 municipal election.

"I have a problem with the democratic process," she said yesterday. "I have a problem with a council that wants to cram something down our throats without due respect for the democratic process."

As for the apparently contradictory signals coming from Bruce Power and the Ministry of Energy, Pitcher wonders if there is less here than meets the eye. She suspects the McGuinty government is preparing a pre-emptive defence against Bruce Power's plans in case there is a significant public backlash.

"Maybe this is a 'good cop-bad cop' situation," she said.

Article ID# 1281618
http://www.simcoereformer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1281618

Haldimand "Public Opinion on Nuclear not Heard"

As part of the EA process, Bruce Power announced at the news conference last Friday that the public is a critical part of the process. But "YOU" have to get involved!

I am working on a blog of the time-line in Haldimand County. So far it looks like the IPSO's-Reid poll was taken after Haldimand County passed a resolution in favour of the EA process. In February and March of 2007 Haldimand County passed this resolution, and the poll was apparently done in May of 2007. If anyone has some information on this, please post. I have e-mailed IPSO to have them send me the information in regards to the wording and timing of this poll.

I am concerned about the route that our council has taken. In particular the timing of this resolution. During the Municipal Election of 2006, there was not a word spoken about the support of Haldimand Council in regards to a possible Nuclear Plant in Nanticoke, yet just "2" months after being sworn in this Council started the process by passing a resolution!

For those that may recall, the same thing happened during the Municipal Election of 2003. No sooner the election was over and Haldimand County Council announced the "proposed" sale of Haldimand County Hydro! I found out through the "freedom of information" that Council had been discussing this behind closed doors for "6" months. And yet not a mention of this during the election campaigning. We were successful in stopping this, but it cost the tax payers a great deal of money.

Is History repeating itself here in Haldimand County? You can be the judge on that one!

This question in my opinion should have been on the "ballot" in 2006! If Haldimand County Council wanted to know if the residents were in support, this would have been the best way to gauge how the residents felt.

Regardless of what Haldimand County Council has done to this point, "Your Voice Needs to Be Heard". Whether you are in favour or not, speak out!

The following is a letter to the editor by Janet Fraser of Cayuga.


Public opinion not heard
NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
Posted By
Posted 42 mins ago

We, the citizens of Haldimand and Norfolk, are deeply concerned about the process that has taken place in our community -- the lack of transparency. In Haldimand, seven people -- the mayor and six council members -- wrote letters of support for a nuclear plant to Premier Dalton McGuinty, but failed to consult with the community. Meetings between the councils of Haldimand and Norfolk and Bruce Power took place behind closed doors. These small county councils made an assumption that the community was in support, because they were understandably concerned about losing jobs at Nanticoke.

The communities were never consulted, nor did the councils arrange public information meetings. Over the last year and a half, concerned citizens have held a few information nights with speakers presenting various points of view on energy options. Grand Erie Energy Quest was formed in June 2007 so that the citizens of Haldimand and Norfolk would have an opportunity to educate themselves about energy options and to provide an opportunity to communicate with one an-o ther.

The website http://www.energyquest4nanticoke.ca was created.

In Norfolk, two women from the Canadian Federation of University Women-Norfolk, presented to Norfolk council their concerns about the project. I felt that the same should be done in Haldimand.

I submitted a formal request to Haldimand Council three times, last spring and summer, to make a 10-minute presentation to Haldimand council on behalf of Grand Erie Energy Quest. We wanted to voice our concerns about a nuclear facility at Nanticoke in a formal way. Haldimand council refused to hear the delegation about the proposed nuclear facility. It felt it was premature and not needed at this time. Councillors held a formal vote on the matter on Aug. 5, 2008 and voted 5 to 2 to deny my request. Mayor Marie Trainer and Coun. Lorne Boyko were the only two to vote in favour of allowing the delegation.

Grand Erie Energy Quest met in the summer with Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett to discuss the issues and plan another energy symposium so that the citizens have more information about energy and the environment. Toby Barrett, is the only one of our elected officials (from all levels) who has shown any concern about what the citizens have to say about this issue. He will be hosting this event on Nov. 20 in Jarvis.

I was encouraged to learn that this $8-billion nuclear plan lacks the province's blessing, and that Energy and Infrastructure Minister George Smitherman clearly stated that this initiative does not bear the approval of the the Government of Ontario. I am puzzled that Bruce Power would spend $30 million on an environmental assessment for a nuclear power plant without the blessing of either the province or the local community.

The citizens of Haldimand and Norfolk, as well as our neighbours at Six Nations, must be able to make an informed decision as to whether or not we are a willing host community for a nuclear plant. This decision cannot be made without much discussion and education about all aspects of the issue. This will take time. It is Bruce Nuclear's announcement that is premature. There needs to be public input first.

Janet Fraser R1 Cayuga
http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1279027

Haldimand "Too Soon to Say No?"

Here is an editorial from the Brantford Expositor. It is an interesting read, raises a lot of questions, and gives you the opportunity to be involved.

I say it is "not to soon" to get involved, in fact this is when we should be getting involved!

As far as the "poll" that was done earlier, there seems to me some controversy as to how it was worded. It was not a clear "Yes or No" question and answer. I for one do not know one person who was involved in this poll. Do You?

Just click on the link below and join in on the debate.


Too soon to say No

Posted By
Posted 1 hour ago


No one knows for sure if Nanticoke is the right place to build two nuclear reactors. We will have a better idea after privately owned Bruce Power completes an environmental assessment of the site on Lake Erie, east of Port Dover, in two or three years.

At first glance, the property near Ontario Hydro's coalfired power plant has advantages of geography and local support. And the province has launched a $26-billion program to advance nuclear power as dirty coal-fired plants shut down.

So, why is Energy Minister George Smitherman so dead set against looking at Nanticoke? On Friday, he made it clear that the province has no interest in nuclear Nanticoke. "It doesn't enjoy the support, encouragement (or) approval, tacit or otherwise of the government of Ontario."

Give Smitherman credit. He doesn't mince words. We just don't get it when Smitherman says, "It's a speculative move on the part of a private company designed to put pressure on downstream government policy."

Sounds like Smitherman is saying "don't confuse us with facts." What's the matter with Bruce Power making a case (or not) for Nanticoke?

The McGuinty government is committed to creating more nuclear power as it phases out air-polluting coalfired generating plants. The province will refurbish its "fleet" of nuclear stations, including construction of two reactors at Darlington, east of Toronto.

Let's hear the case for Nanticoke. Bruce Power has an option to buy 600 acres in an industrial park from U. S. Steel Canada Inc.

The property, which is close to major cities in Southern Ontario, can easily connect to the power grid now linked to the Nanticoke coal-fired plant, which will close by 2014, putting 600 people out of work.

A nuclear facility would cost about $4 billion and take four years to build. It would create about 1,200 permanent jobs and pump $150 million a year into the economies of Haldimand and Norfolk.

An Ipsos-Reid survey this year found more than 60 per cent of residents in Haldimand and Norfolk support a nuclear plant at Nanticoke. The project also has the backing of federal Human Resources Minister Diane Finley, MP for Haldimand-Norfolk, and the counties of Haldimand and Norfolk.

Smitherman is jumping the gun in saying no to Nanticoke. Let's wait for the environmental assessment, then see if it's worth pursuing.

Join the discussion at www.theexpositor.com

http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1277668

Haldimand "Nuclear Storm brewing over Nanticoke"

This is a very interesting article from the Spectator. It does raise more than a question or two.


Nuclear storm brewing over Nanticoke

November 01, 2008 Rob Faulkner
The Hamilton Spectator
(Nov 1, 2008)

Ontario does not endorse what it calls the "speculative" Bruce Power bid to build a new nuclear plant next to the Nanticoke coal-fired generating station on Lake Erie, which is to be shut down in 2014.

Ministry of Energy spokesperson Sylvia Kovesfalvi said the province is sticking to an energy strategy in which it will only invest in nuclear plants in communities where nuclear plants already exist.

Despite lobbying, Haldimand and Norfolk lost out to Darlington in Durham Region as site of a new nuclear plant announced in June. The counties even wrote Premier Dalton McGuinty for permission to do a federal environmental assessment on a Nanticoke nuclear plant.

So, it was with raised eyebrows that observers heard Bruce Power say it filed a site preparation licence with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission which, if accepted, will start a federal EA process.

"I find it puzzling as well because I understood that the province was deciding on its own sites and calling for requests for proposals," said NDP energy critic and Toronto area MPP Peter Tabuns.

"So the role of Bruce Power in all of this is murky at best," he said, noting that because Ontario owns the power lines, any plant is unable to sell power without approval.

"You don't think of a large corporation just going out and, for the fun of it, announcing that they are going to build a nuclear power plant in southwestern Ontario. These things are extraordinarily expensive," Tabuns added.

But Bruce Power president and CEO Duncan Hawthorne did say yesterday that his company cannot build a new nuclear plant without Ontario's approval. He couched it in terms of a private company weighing its options.

"Ultimately, we understand that if a plant is to be built here, there has to be agreement between ourselves and the province of Ontario," he said, adding that Bruce Power is not in talks with the province now.

He said that, as the EA raises options for plans and funding sources, talks with Ontario will occur.

The EA will take three years, construction five or six years and a plant could start to operate in 2018.

"The provincial government are the people who have to make the decision," Hawthorne said. "This is not an attempt to circumvent the provincial government."

Ontario wants to maintain its 14,000 megawatts of power from nuclear to the year 2025. With existing nuclear plants aging, they must be refurbished or replaced.

Some question the demand for any new nuclear power in Ontario, which has three plants with 16 reactors, many of which are either not operating or being refurbished.

Shawn Patrick Stensil, who works on nuclear issues for Greenpeace Canada, said the "big question" is whether Ontario should spend billions on nuclear plants it may not need. He said predicted energy demand will be affected by declines in the economy and by conservation efforts; he says renewable energy is being under-valued due to the high cost of nuclear facilities.

"It's a huge build," he said of Ontario's nuclear refurbishing plan, which he pegs at a cost of $40 billion. "In front of us, we have an opportunity to replace some of this technology with cheaper, cleaner, more socially acceptable energy choices."

rfaulkner@thespec.com
905-526-2468

Bruce Power runs eight reactors

Bruce Power is a partnership between TransCanada Corporation, BPC Generation Infrastructure Trust (BPC), an investment entity of Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS), Cameco Corporation and two unions: the Power Workers' Union and the Society of Energy Professionals.

The consortium is Canada's only private nuclear generator and the source of 25 per cent of Ontario's electricity. It employs 3,700 people.

It operates eight nuclear reactors on two sites, located on Lake Huron between Kincardine and Port Elgin. The 2,300 acres are big enough to hold the Toronto Zoo, Canada's Wonderland, Exhibition Place, Ontario Place and the African Lion Safari.
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/459481

Haldimand "Toby Barrett Extends his Invitation to all to Attend a Symposium on Energy"

Any thoughts on energy generation and our environment?

News Release: Toby Barrett - October 31, 2008

Questions, and new power proposals, continue to surface during our local energy debate.

I invite all interested to the Jarvis Community Centre on November 20th at 6pm- for an evening of discussion, display and presentation on electricity generation and our environment.

Last year's Jarvis Symposium featured speakers and display tables on everything from solar to nuclear, coal gasification to carbon sequestration, wind power and more.

Keynote speaker Environment Commissioner Gord Miller, was on hand to frame the debate by stressing alternatives and their impacts in the constant struggle to meet energy needs.

In his annual report last year, Environment Commissioner Miller advised, The province should rethink its current plan to vette the new nuclear plan through the Ontario Energy Board. It should be subject to a full Environmental Assessment, going on to say that, Such a major, capital-intensive electricity plan deserves thorough scrutiny by environmental experts, as opposed to the Ontario Energy Board, which has traditionally focused its reviews on rates, cost and fairness.

In his annual report this year, Gord Miller highlights concerns that the Environmental Assessment (EA) process itself needs overhauling: a number of perverse amendments to the EA process over the years mean that other approvals (e.g., the purchase of land) are being allowed to precede EA approval, making it extremely unlikely that proposed projects will subsequently be rejected through the EA process. Since 1996, 64 individual EA projects have been approved under the EA process, while only two individual EA projects have ever been refused.

While much has changed since our last symposium a regulation now to close coal production by 2014, an announcement from Bruce Power to option 1760 acres from US Steel for two nuclear reactors some things have not changed.

I continue to receive input - and questions - with regard to the potential of clean air technology and the future of Nanticokes coal plant; and the potential for solar, wind, and natural gas, and nuclear.

My office polling over the past three years shows 70 per cent of respondents oppose new nuclear if there is a possibility of keeping the coal plant running.

It will be intriguing to see how stakeholders feel about these issues at this years Symposium. Will the ensuing year and a half of new and rumoured energy proposals, as well as further government directives to close coal and reduce carbon emissions, have an impact on local viewpoints. And will this Ontario government take into consideration the recommendations from our 2007 symposium keynote speaker when it comes to nuclear proposals and the EA process itself.

It was June 2006, when Premier McGuinty announced a $40 billion nuclear build, and rebuild, program. He also promised full public consultation before going forward. Since then, I have written two letters to the Premier requesting that 1. government hold public hearings on the future of electricity generation in our area; and 2. provide a cost comparison between nuclear generation and coal-fired generation that includes carbon capture and clean-air technology. I have yet to receive a response.

Given what's at stake I continue to press for government to conduct a comprehensive public consultation beyond EA's to ensure the area voices are heard before any further energy production decisions impacting our local communities are made.

Haldimand "Are We Going Nuclear?"

Well are you ready? It looks like we could be going Nuclear in Haldimand County. And the process will not take as much time as one would think.

Well last Friday was certainly a very interesting day for me. I heard on the news that morning that Bruce Power was indeed proceeding with an EA in preparation for the building of a Nuclear Plant right here in Haldimand County.

I want to send a special thanks to "James at Bruce Power" for the invitation to attend Friday's news release in Nanticoke!

Here is a list of some of the invited guests that attended the News Release on Friday; MPP Toby Barrett, MP Diane Finley, Mayor Marie Trainer, Councillors Sloat, Ricker and Bartlett from Haldimand County, Managers Karen General, Hugh Hanley (from Haldimand County)Mayor Travelle and a few council members from Norfolk County, members from the Board of Trade, Construction Industry, McMaster University, Bill Jackson from the Regional Newspaper.

Bruce Power had school buses picking up people in Jarvis, Simcoe and Cayuga.

Some of us were told that we were going to US Steel, but no one knew for sure where we were going, we only new that we could not drive our own vehicles. So I met the bus at the Jarvis Library at 11:30am. I met quite a few interesting people in the parking lot, and have a few very good contacts that I will be following up with at a later date.

So on the bus we went, I personally thought that we were going to US Steel and as it was over the lunch period there would be some sandwiches and drinks. It became clear when we turned down a farmers path and were now four wheeling in a school bus, we were not going to US Steel.

A few fields in we were dropped off at a prepared area where there was a tent and a Johnny on the spot set up for us. There was food, refreshments, hats and a lot of material to read. This was the ideal site, this 2,000 acre parcel of land that the Nuclear Plant will be built on is located approx. 4 km west of OPG and is owned by US Steel! Thank goodness it was a good day! I felt quite comfortable, I felt like I was in my own backyard surrounded by farmers fields and a view of the lake in the distance.

Councillor Sloat welcomed the crowd of around 60 people and introduced each speaker. Some of the key speakers were MPP Toby Barrett, MP Diane Finley, Mayor Trainer from Haldimand County, Councillor Bartlett from Haldimand County, Mayor Travelle from Norfolk County and the President of Bruce Power, Duncan Hawthorne.

I won't go into a lot of detail of what each speaker said, but I will tell you that on a "local" front our Mayor and Councillors of Haldimand County that were in attendance are in "full support" of a Nuclear Plant being built in Nanticoke. Some will say that they are only in support of the EA process, but I was there and can tell you that a Nuclear build in Haldimand County means "huge" dollars to our County, and our representatives that attended made that point perfectly clear.

Here are some highlights of what was talked about;

The need for "support" from the "community".
This venture will create approx. "1,000 jobs" over the period of the next 60 years.
This was welcomed news from both Haldimand and Norfolk Councils.
The EA process will take approx. 3 years.
Bruce Power has been working with US Steel for about two years.
Bruce Power has been working with the Councils of Haldmand and Norfolk since the beginning of 2007.
Councillor Sloat heads up the "Special Committee" that was formed in early 2007 to deal with the issues of power generation in Haldimand County.

What I learned from reading the information package that was given out that day;

There will be two Nuclear units.
Bruce Power is considering three potential reactor designs, The ACR-1000, advanced CANDU reactor, the Westinghouse AP1000 and the AREVA EPR, the latest generation of pressurized water reactors (PWR).
The schedule for each project phase for EA purposes.

The schedule is as follows;

Planning and EA; 2008-2010 (24 months) for unit 1 and 2.
Site preparation; 2010-2012 (18-24 months) for unit 1 and 2.
Construction; 2012-2016 for unit 1, 2013-2017 for unit 2.
Commissioning 2017 for unit 1, 2018 for unit 2.
Operation and Maintenance; 2017-2077 for unit 1, 2018-2078 for unit 2.
Decommissioning 2077+ for unit 1, and 2078 for unit 2.

Bruce Power has already been engaged with the community. Since early 2007 there have been several seminars and presentations to both Haldimand and Norfolk Councils. Both councils visited Bruce Power's facility in April of 2007. This was all in preparation to apply for the license to start the EA process. In October of 2008 Bruce Power applied to the Federal Government for a site preparation license, once this happens the EA will start.

Part of the EA process is engaging the community and gaining support for a new Nuclear Build.

I will be writing several articles on the EA process. There is a lot of information to be read and to really understand this process I will be talking to a few people from Bruce Power and the Government agencies that are involved.

Here are a few news articles;

Bruce Power to Conduct Environmental Assessment for Nuclear Generating Station in Haldimand-Norfolk

Last update: 1:00 p.m. EDT Oct. 31, 2008

NANTICOKE, ONTARIO, Oct 31, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Bruce Power is pleased to announce it will conduct an Environmental Assessment (EA) as it considers building a nuclear generating station in the Haldimand-Norfolk region of southern Ontario.

The assessment, which could take nearly three years to complete, will examine the environmental and social impacts of building two reactors to generate between 2,000 and 3,000 megawatts of low-emissions electricity. It will also consider how other clean energy sources such as hydrogen, solar and wind could complement nuclear in the area.

"Ontario needs affordable, reliable and clean energy as we move forward to address one of the greatest challenges of our time - climate change," said Duncan Hawthorne, Bruce Power's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Examining new sources of generation in Haldimand-Norfolk will give us, and Ontario, a number of options to consider going forward."

Bruce Power is Canada's only private nuclear generating company and the operator of Ontario's first commercial wind farm at its Bruce County site, approximately 250 km northwest of Toronto. It is also considering building new reactors at its current Ontario site as well as the Peace Country region of Alberta.

Earlier this year, it launched a feasibility study to help Saskatchewan decide whether it will add nuclear to its energy mix as well.

In Haldimand-Norfolk, Bruce Power will use the EA as a planning tool to weigh the merits of building a clean energy hub on approximately 800 hectares within the Haldimand Industrial Park that it has optioned from US Steel Canada Inc. The EA will officially begin when a Project Description and Site Preparation License, filed today, are accepted by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

As part of its Integrated Power System Plan, the Ontario Power Authority has said nuclear energy should continue to provide 14,000 megawatts of electricity over the next 20 years, while coal is phased-out through investment in renewables and building a culture of conservation.
"Although this is a major step forward, we will not make a decision to proceed with a project until we have consulted thoroughly with the people of Haldimand-Norfolk and have significantly progressed the EA," Hawthorne said.

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, applauded Bruce Power's decision, saying she strongly supports the launching of an assessment for new nuclear build in her Haldimand-Norfolk riding.

"I'm pleased Bruce Power is progressing with an option that could provide stable, long-term economic impacts for the next 60 years," said Minister Finley, who first approached Bruce Power in 2007 to consider her community as a potential growth site.

Last June, both Haldimand and Norfolk councils unanimously passed resolutions supporting the launch of an EA into new nuclear. Soon after, a poll conducted by Ipsos-Reid showed more than 80 per cent of residents were open to the EA planning process and that nearly two-thirds of people in the area support nuclear energy.

"Haldimand council fully supports this environmental assessment," said Marie Trainer, Mayor of Haldimand County. "This has been a topic of interest in our community for some time and with Bruce Power taking this step, we can now move ahead with extensive and formal public consultation and input."

Norfolk County Mayor Dennis Travale agreed, saying, "Ontario needs power from Nanticoke to support the grid and if such a project proceeds, following a detailed EA, it will be good news for the economies of Haldimand, Norfolk and Ontario."

Councillor Buck Sloat, Chair of the Haldimand Special Committee into Energy Development said the region could benefit greatly from new investment in clean energy. "Establishing an energy hub at Nanticoke means clean energy for Ontario and long-term stable jobs for our local community," Sloat said.

Patrick Dillon, Business Manager of the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario, said the project would help the region develop a larger pool of skilled trades people if it goes ahead. "This will have immense economic benefits that go far beyond the walls of any new facility," Dillon said.

In October of 2007, both councils jointly released an economic study, authored by Dr. Harry Kitchen of Trent University, which showed a new facility could create approximately 1,000 new jobs and contribute $550 million annually in regional, economic impacts during construction.

About Bruce Power

Bruce Power is a partnership among Cameco Corporation, TransCanada Corporation, BPC Generation Infrastructure Trust, a trust established by the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System, the Power Workers' Union and The Society of Energy Professionals.

Contacts:
Bruce Power
Steve Cannon
(519) 361-6559
Email: steve.cannon@brucepower.com

Bruce Power
24-hour Duty Media Officer
(519) 361-6161

Bruce Power eyes Lake Erie site for nuclear reactors
Last Updated: Friday, October 31, 2008 5:18 PM ET
CBC News
Nuclear power-plant operator Bruce Power said Friday it is considering construction of two new nuclear stations in Nanticoke, Ont., the site of a coal plant scheduled to shut down in 2014.
The private nuclear generating company announced Friday it had applied for a site preparation licence with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

"Ontario needs affordable, reliable and clean energy as we move forward to address one of the greatest challenges of our time — climate change," said Bruce Power president and CEO Duncan Hawthorne in a statement.

"Examining new sources of generation in Haldimand-Norfolk will give us, and Ontario, a number of options to consider going forward," he said.

The company also said that if the safety commission accepts the licence application, the company would conduct an environmental assessment to gauge the impact of building two reactors in the Haldimand-Norfolk region of southern Ontario on the shore of Lake Erie, about 130 km southwest of Toronto.

The assessment could take as long as three years to complete, the company said.
The two reactors would generate between 2,000 and 3,000 megawatts of low-emissions electricity, the company said.

The Nanticoke Generating Station is the largest coal-firing power plant in North America. It is slated to close in 2014 as part of the Ontario government's push to eliminate the use of coal power by that year. The provincial government has said completely eliminating coal-fired power generation will have an environmental equivalent of removing seven million cars from the road.
Ontario currently has three operating nuclear plants: Bruce Power operates the Bruce site on Lake Huron while Ontario Power Generation operates the Pickering and Darlington sites, both east of Toronto.

Earlier this year Bruce Power filed an application nuclear safety commission for clearance to prepare another possible site in Alberta's Peace River district.